Procrastination to Productivity

Get moving on important actions that open doors and bring you fulfillment. Whether it is having a productive work day every day, decluttering your home or office space, or learning to get more life-changing completions behind you; the following tips will help you shift from frozen to finished.

Get to the Source- Are you exhausted? Rejuvenate, then take action. Feel confused about what to do? Gather more information. Is fear binding you? Rev up your courage and just do it. Is this something you really want? Decide. Is overwhelm causing massive brain overload? Get your to do list out of your head, onto paper, and get started. Is there a habitual thought pattern in place that needs a shift? Develop a new story (strategy) and take action for new results. Notice that each issue can be resolved with action.

You Do Not Have to ‘Feel’ Like It- Over the years as a professional life coach, clients have attempted the ‘I just didn’t feel like it’ phrase as reasoning for not taking action. Successful people do not wake up and feel like exercising first thing in the morning. They do it because they know it is the best choice for the results they want. Once they build the new habit it becomes routine. Take action to build the new habit.

Block Time and Bundle Actions- Instead of trying to take action on various areas each day block time for peak performance. Set a nice chunk of time for a high priority project, bundle smaller action steps, to do’s, and errands into another block, and a creativity day for product development. Keep like-minded activities together. Keep your energy levels in mind as you choose when to block actions.

Time’s up! - Your clock is a tool to get started, stay on task, and be efficient. Right now, set the timer to 15 minutes on a project you have been avoiding and work quickly to complete what you can even if it is taking small steps. Use a clock to schedule email check times and to limit time handling email. By the way, create a system to limit email to your smart phone. Avoid having to go through email twice. Slice the time a project normally takes and work to complete it faster. When mastering deadlines you will automatically work to eliminate activities that waste time. You become more efficient and productive.

Prioritize To Do’s and Do in Priority- Rank action steps in A B C order so you are clear on essential steps and what can wait. You may hesitate on top-ranked activities because that is where the most potential for growth lies. Discomfort is normal. Get it done first and you will feel amazing for having the gusto to follow through.

Lazer Focus- Avoid Multi-Tasking-  Are you driving your day or is your day driving you? Our brains were not built for toggling. Maintain focus on excellence, efficiency, and enthusiasm on one activity at a time. Overwhelm is paralyzing. Choose your focus, take action, and watch the anxiety of overwhelm fade away as you make progress that creates positive change at work and home.

Begin!- Right now. 5 minutes, 10, 15, whatever you can do right now. Take action! Begin shifting thought patterns from “I can do it later” to “I want to be fit… have a growing business… be an expert… or get that promotion so I am taking action now.” Keep a Completions Victory Log until you get 100 successes under your belt. Small actions count such as cleaning out a drawer. Incredible shifts in confidence happen around 60-70. However, if you are one to avoid what is most important use a Victory Log only in your top priority area and aim for 25 completions.

You are so kind to continue reading but now it is time. What is the one area you have been procrastinating on? What is the one area that you know can bring you the greatest positive long-term fulfillment? What is one small step you know you can complete to ignite the flame. Break the task down into what you know you can do and begin. Make the shift from procrastination to productivity… Starting Now!

Is Your Mindset Holding You Back? Develop a Growth Mindset & Build Extraordinary Abilities

“I have always been deeply moved by outstanding achievement and saddened by wasted potential.” Dr Carol Dweck

World-renowned Stanford University psychologist Dr Carol Dweck explains, “For 20 years my research has shown that the view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life.”  Dr Dweck initially discovered the benefits of a growth mindset in achieving higher levels of success and shared them in her book, ‘Mindset, The New Psychology of Success’.  Learning how you approach daily activities is significant in determining whether or not you are on track to fill the gap to your potential. At the end of this article I hope you move forward with a better understanding of how your current mindset is supporting or holding you back. And also have new information and resources to continue developing a growth mindset that expands your abilities and possibilities!

First, what distinguishes a fixed mindset from a growth mindset? Dr Dweck states, “a person with a fixed mindset believes we are all born with a certain set of skills and competencies. We either have a talent for something or we don’t.”  In contrast she explains, “If you have a full-on growth mindset, anything and everything is possible. If there is something you have an interest in yet don’t know how to do, you do whatever it takes to learn it.”  One with a fixed mindset may initially appear talented. The fixed mindset shows up when they encounter negative criticism, obstacles, or feel threatened by someone with greater skills. Ego takes over. Time is spent attempting to appear talented, avoiding challenges, or quitting rather than striving to grow and develop. A person with a growth mindset may first appear awkward or inadequate but they know they can improve with practice. Failure, critiques, and being with those who are more successful are not threatening and embraced as opportunities to learn and improve. Obstacles are simply glitches to overcome. The growth mindset builds motivation, drive, and a hard work ethic to learn, grow, persist, and master leading to great achievements.

The good news is that we have the ability to choose. We can change at anytime from a fixed to growth mindset and it is relatively simple with some focused attention. Which mindset fits you today? Which one of the sentences below best matches how you feel?

~ People are who they are with what they have been given. Your basic intelligence, talents, and personality traits do not change much.

~ People have the ability to substantially develop their intelligence, talents, and personality traits through focused effort.

The first statement is characteristic of a fixed mindset, while the second is indicative of a growth mindset. So how do you make the shift when the fixed mindset is holding you back?

Notice the Evidence- Think about something that was really hard that you have improved in dramatically. Notice the stories of others all around us who have built expertise in areas you would never expect. Over the years I’ve learned that seeing someone struggle at the start has little insight to their success. More important is their approach to the activity.

Be Aware when the Fixed Mindset Shows Up- When negative self-talk is questioning your abilities like whether you are smart, talented, or experienced enough, ask: What will I gain from this experience? i.e. knowledge, experience, developing a skill, strengthening your courage muscle, etc. You may just be feeling unprepared. Shift to the growth mindset making a commitment to learn more, develop skills, and improve.

Know that Your Mindset is a Choice- You choose which direction you focus. Will you focus on being limited (fixed mindset)? Or will you open the possibilities by instilling the belief you can learn, grow, develop, and achieve with effort (growth mindset)?

Choose Growth Mindset Language- Growth mindset language is not critical and does not stop you in your tracks. It is encouraging, such as: “I may not be good now, but I will study daily and become an expert.” “I may be new but I still have value to offer and will learn tremendously from this experience.” “This is one tough obstacle but I will keep at it until I get it, even if I have to get help from someone more experienced.” “Can’t? What is that? Not even in my vocabulary.”

So how can you encourage growth mindset in others such as your employees, children, family, friends, associates, etc.? Avoid labels by complimenting the effort they have put into the achievement instead of complimenting ‘who’ you believe them to be.

The growth mindset creates a more realistic, honest self-view as you discern from each experience what you like, don’t like, strengths, and weaknesses. The fixed mindset, however, creates a distorted self-view, exaggerated and limited, distancing you from knowing yourself and your true abilities. Howard Gardner has studied exceptional people. In his book Extraordinary Minds he concludes exceptional individuals have “a special talent for identifying their own strengths and weaknesses.”  Since the fixed mindset does not analyze abilities other than trying to determine how good they are, it is safe to say extraordinary minds work in a growth mindset.

How will you view daily experiences and challenges from here on out? It is your choice. May you move forward today with a growth mindset that supports you to learn, develop, and experience your extraordinary abilities… StartingNow!

One Word, One Focus, Creates New Results

“If I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the one thing over which I have control - myself.” Stephen R Covey

Happy New Year! Are you excited about 2013? Did you know significant change can occur with consistent, persistent focus on just one word? We all have within us access to many different traits with free will to choose. We can be enthusiastic or pessimistic, calm or impulsive, productive, courageous, determined, skillful, friendly, a learner, healthy, adventurous, etc. How would your life, career, or business change if you chose to focus on just one word daily as your theme for the year? Well, we are going to discuss exactly that here in a minute.

First, if you look behind what is not working- those patterns of discontent, that sabotaging thought or behavior- what you are likely to find is a trait or characteristic which has not been developed. Yes, we all have our strengths and weaknesses, and it is productive to leverage your strengths. In addition, no matter what your endeavor you may be called to stretch out of your comfort zone and strengthen a character trait in order to step up to the next level. What I would like you to consider here is what is your missing ingredient? How about developing a character trait that may be a positive influence in various areas of your life? Here are a few examples:

Healthy- Being healthy daily can lead to making better food choices, exercise, better sleep, etc. that leads to looking your best, feeling more confident, higher energy, etc. which can open doors to new opportunities.

Productive- Procrastinators and those easily distracted can focus on getting the important things done first, taking small action steps, and setting boundaries on tasks such as email, phone calls, etc.

Courageous- Since fear is behind most sabotaging behaviors this is likely the best one yet. Choosing to be courageous daily helps you to take risks that lead to love, building your business, and impressing your boss.

Skilled or Educated- If you are new in business or your career and want to build expertise this can be your reminder to take daily action steps to read, connect and learn from others, say ‘yes’ to a new class, etc.

Efficiency- Consistently looking for the best way to get things done with the least waste of time. The more you work at it, the better you get, saving time at home and work. The more you talk with others and read about it, the more information you gather and the stronger the trait becomes.

Friendliness- One who tends to be shy might focus here. While maintaining boundaries they may opt to say hello more often, attend a networking event with a smile, and take small steps to stretch daily that could lead to a promotion, a new relationship, etc.

Keep in mind, however, that strengths can sometimes be weaknesses. Positive traits are not always positive in every situation. Being a risk taker is often a great asset in career-building. However, risky driving does not serve anyone. So become aware of how and when to best use your winning ingredient.

"Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconscious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character." Stephen R Covey

Now it is time for a new good habit.

1- What is holding you back? Get to the source. List thought patterns or behaviors that stop you.

2- What is the one character trait that will best serve you to turn things around? A character trait that positively improves various areas of your life is a fantastic choice.

3- As you wake up daily and carry on through your day focus on your word as if you already are pro-active, determined, imaginative, communicative, adventurous, decisive, frugal, a finisher, or whatever word best serves you. When a negative habit turns up remind yourself that you are your new trait. By seeing in your mind, doing, and experiencing yourself being this character trait your brain is working to strengthen that connection.

4- Expect success and step over failures. Plan to succeed each day and when you have a failure step over it like a fallen branch. No big deal. Life is not smooth but it is adventurous. Learn from it and continue to grow.

5- Add a daily structure to focus on your one word daily. You can use your screen saver, a smart phone reminder, daytimer, a daily habits app, web tool, the Daily Habits Tracking Chart, etc. to track your winning streaks until it becomes a habit.

Each day as you focus on one word, one trait, it becomes more and more a part of who you are. Track your victories. The more victories you experience and as you build longer streaks of successful steps the more confident you become. As your new thought patterns and actions take root you begin experiencing exciting new results. So go ahead, try it out… one work, one focus… Starting Now!

50 Sample Character Traits:
Adaptive
Adventurous
Articulate
Bold
Budget-Minded
Calm
Collaborative
Committed
Confident
Committed
Communicator
Creative
Courageous
Curious
Detail-Oriented
Determined
Doer
Educated
Efficient
Energetic
Enthusiastic
Ethical
Focused
Friendly
Goal-Oriented
Hard-working
Healthy
Helpful
Humble
Imaginative
Learner
Listener
Networker
Opportunistic
Organized
Passionate
Persuasive
Persistent
Positive
Prepared
Productive
Resilient
Resourceful
Responsible
Risk-Taker
Self-Disciplined
Self-Reliant
Skillful
Thinker
Trustworthy

How to Live a Happy Life with a Winning Morning Routine
9 Uplifting Options, What NOT To Do, & the Best Life Changing Daily Action

What does a Winning Morning Routine have to do with how to live a happy life? Plenty! The moment we awake brain patterns quickly claim our attitude towards the day. For many of us by 12Noon we feel good or bad about what we have accomplished. By mid-afternoon, energy levels decline. Wait, we have choices… to take new actions for new results! Read on for 9 uplifting options, what NOT to do, and the best life changing daily action you can take.

Prepare Ahead- Be clear on priorities. Plan action steps the day before. Think through the day to come. What can you do in the evening to save steps? Make lunches, your outfit is clean and ready, kids backpacks prepared with homework inside (yes, it needed to be said). What will save time through the day? Any errands you can knock out in the direction you are going? Keep priorities first and secondary tasks second. Wake up knowing your road map.

Get the Best Sleep- Bedtime can be a soothing ritual of self-care. Your bed should be as comfortable as possible. Create the most relaxing atmosphere. In contrast, create a great environment to awake to with sunlight, fresh air, pleasing accent colors, etc. Get your body in rhythm by going to sleep and waking up at the same times daily. Shoot for 7-8 hours of sleep for an enthusiastic start and enduring energy.

Turn Your Snooze Time into an Awakening Time- Allow a spiritual moment before the ego awakes to connect with your soul. Pray, be grateful, listen silently, or visualize and feel your ideal end result when achieving your goal. You can set your intention or a theme for the day that supports your success. Imagine the impact on your relationship if you used this awakening time daily to tell your significant other how much you love and appreciate them.

Hydrate- I will save the abundance of health benefits from water for another day. The point is you just awoke from one-third of the day without water. Every cell in your body from head to toe needs water for you to function at peak performance. So when you are preparing fuel for your body, add a glass or two of water.

Sunlight, Fresh Air, and the Morning Sky- Allow the sunlight in to awaken you naturally if possible. Open the windows or step outside on lovely mornings for a refreshing start to the day. A few minutes watching the beautiful changes of the horizon during a morning sunrise is uplifting.

Self-Care with Benefits- At the very minimum, music is energizing. Exercise kick-starts your metabolism. Stretching and deep breathing stimulates the brain. Yoga combines stretching, breathing, and meditation. Whatever your propensity choose self-care with benefits to get off to a great start.

Shower and Shine– Kind of a given. Feeling clean, fresh, and looking your best to start the day increases your confidence walking into the office along with the number and type of opportunities that come your way.

Fuel Up with a Healthy Breakfast- Your body slows while you sleep but still a surprising amount of activity is going on within. Your eyes and brain become quite active through REM cycles. Tissue growth and repair takes place. The immune system increases production of certain proteins. Hormones are released and the list goes on, all running on stored energy. So it makes sense to fuel your body with a nutritional breakfast for a peak performance day.

Quiet Moment- If you are looking for a deeper experience incorporate a quiet block of 10-20 minutes or whatever you choose for meditation, journaling, gratitude, prayer, spiritual reading, writing down your goals, etc.

What NOT to Do
Avoid Email First Thing in the Morning- Email can quickly detour you off your plan and lead to others rearranging your day. Set up blocks of time a little later to manage email.

After Prep Time, The Best Action to Take First Every Morning
Do what is going to make you happy long-term! Want to lose weight, write a book, or stop procrastinating? Then exercise, write, and do. Want to build a skill, develop expertise, overcome a fear, or create more income in your business? Practice the skill, read or call an expert, take steps to face your fear, or take action that directly develops income. Do it first! We learn in action. You may feel resistance. Growth is not easy. Use gumption to carry through. Feel great for going for it even if you are still emerging, and allow it to energize you for the remainder of the day. Action builds knowledge, experience, strength, confidence, and the list goes on. Taking the most productive actions puts you in the best position for the rest of the day and the rest of your life!

On paper jot ‘My Winning Morning Routine puts me in The Best Position for the Rest of the Day & The Rest of My Life’.  Below it list options you want to create your Winning Morning Routine. Do what is needed to keep it forefront until it becomes routine. Pick up a free Rewarding Daily Habits Chart on the Develop Good Habits Page of the author’s website to track your progress. Begin incorporating your Winning Morning Routine and let me know how your days change… StartingNow!